I agree with you - these smaller parks are more fun. We used to take my kids to a place around us called Santa’s Village (still around, just smaller and different - https://santasvillagedundee.com/) that I went to as a child. Much cheaper, drivable, and a great full day activity.
Disney is fun to go to as a special event, but they have made a conscious effort over the past decade to change it from a “once in great while” marketed visit to a “come every year!” type of vacation.
